*2011 International UKIERI Workshop on Fusion of Brain-Computer Interface
and Assistive Robotics <http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/about-us.html>,
**(*7-8 July 2011, University of Ulster, Derry, UK)**
http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/<http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/about-us.html>.
Over the last decade massive progress has been made in both brain-computer
interface (BCI) and assistive robotics (AR) fields. A BCI primarily utilizes
brainwaves modulations generated through voluntary cognitive tasks effected
cortical activations. These modulations can be used to establish a direct
communication link between human brain and computing devices and may also be
effective in plastic reorganisation of neuronal structure after lesion
formation due to neurological problems such as stroke. Several promising
prototype BCI applications have been reported primarily for providing
independence to people with extreme motor disability and helping in the
recovery of paralysed limbs of individuals suffering from motor impairments
due to stroke. However due to practical limitations, there is still very
little take-up of BCI systems for real-world use.
In the AR field as well, highly promising prototype systems have been
demonstrated for helping disabled individuals in mobility, performing
activities of daily living (ADL), and undertaking rehabilitation exercises
for the recovery of paralysed limbs. These systems include a range of
devices involving smart wheelchair, tele-robotics, intelligent manipulators,
and prosthetic and orthotic devices. AR systems also have yet to find
wide-spread use in real-world. One of the main reasons for the limited
take-up of AR systems is restrictive accessibility and passive interactions
facilitated through the use of conventional human-computer interfaces.
A synergetic fusion of BCI and AR systems thus holds a much greater promise
in ensuring active interactions and universal accessibility by establishing
a natural communication link with AR systems through a user-centred design,
leading to greater independence in ADL as well as enhanced recovery of the
paralysed limbs.
*Call for Participation*
We invite researchers from both brain-computer interface (BCI) and assistive
robotics (AR) areas to 2011 Int. UKIERI Workshop on Fusion of
Brain-Computer Interface and Assistive
Robotics<http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/about-us.html>
(BCI-AR 20111) to be held on 7-8 July 2011 at Intelligent Systems Research
Centre, University of Ulster, Derry, N. Ireland. The BCI-AR workshop aims
to bring together world-leading experts in both BCI and AR fields at one
platform to discuss cutting edge developments and brainstorm ideas to
provide new directions for an effective fusion of BCI and AR systems. It
will feature invited talks from leading domain experts who will present and
discuss their problems, as well as pose new research challenges that will be
addressed by a panel of researchers and practitioners. Additionally,
researchers will have the opportunity to present ongoing work in these areas
in a poster session. We believe that this workshop will serve as a bridge
between the traditional BCI and AR research communities and domain experts
helping to facilitate a synergetic fusion of both the areas. This
workshopis part of the UK India Education and Research Initiative
(UKIERI) project
*Innovations in Intelligent Assistive Robotics*.
*Submission*
We invite extended abstract submissions for poster presentations at the
workshop. The extended abstract should be prepared using the template
attached here<http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/images/files/UKIEIRI_workshop-template.doc>and
submitted as an email attachment to
ukieri2011 at ulster.ac.uk on or before May 31, 2011. Acceptance notification
will be sent to the authors by June 10, 2011. A few interesting abstracts
may also be selected for oral presentation. Submissions are welcome in both
BCI and AR areas focusing on, but not limited to, following topics:
- Hybrid and multi-modal BCIs
- Self-adapting BCIs
- Monitoring of mental states
- Optimizing the adaptive interactions between BCIs systems and their
users
- Using BCIs to control neuroprostheses and assistive robotic systems
- BCIs users and their needs
- Optimizing the adaptive interactions between BCI systems and their
users
- Robotic wheelchairs
- Assistive robotics for neuro-rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation robotics for elderly care
- Social robotics in health care
- Natural human robot interaction
- Tele-robotics
- Cooperative and networked control in multi-robot systems
- Evaluation and clinical experience
*Registration*
Please see the BCI-AR 2011 website (http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/)
for information on how to register for the workshop. For questions or
comments, please send an e-mail to ukieri2011 at ulster.ac.uk.
Dr. Girijesh Prasad
Program Chair
2011 Int. UKIERI Workshop on Fusion of Brain-Computer Interface and
Assistive Robotics <http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/ukieri2011/about-us.html> (BCI-AR
2011)
Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing and Intelligent
Systems
Faculty of Computing & Engineering, University of Ulster, Magee Campus
Londonderry BT48 7JL, N. Ireland, United Kingdom
--
Lorenzo Riano, PhD
Research Associate
Intelligent Systems Research Centre
University of Ulster
Magee campus
Londonderry
BT48 7JL
phone: +44 (0)28 71375187
email: l.riano at ulster.ac.uk, lorenzo.riano at gmail.com
skype: lorenzo.riano
Webpage: http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk/Staff/LRiano/Contact.html